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DUI, theft suspect follows stolen vehicle right into jail
Sacramento police officers were trailing a stolen bait vehicle Wednesday night but the real arrest bonanza was one vehicle behind, a crime summary indicates.
Just after 11 p.m. on Wednesday near 32nd Avenue and 79th Street, officers spotted a stolen bait vehicle being followed by a blue van.
Officers conducted a felony stop on the stolen vehicle taking the driver into custody, who they identified as Rickey Gasaway, 38.
But the blue van was subsequently spotted by the police helicopter and officers stopped the vehicle.
Ernest Young, 57, was arrested on suspicion of DUI, parole violation and vehicle theft.
Online jail records showed Young still in a custody Thursday night on about $150,000 bail while Gasaway had been released or freed on bail.
Sacramento PD: Argument ends in self-ignited fire
The law of unintended consequences was in full operation when a 68-year-old man threw a flammable liquid on his roommate during an argument - and the roommate lit himself on fire, a Sacramento Police Department crime summary indicates.
At about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were called to a residence in the 200 block of Arrowrock Road.
Officers gave this chain of events:
The victim was drinking with his roommate when they got into an argument. The suspect threatened to throw camping fuel on him and then did.
The victim took out his lighter and lit his own clothes on fire, not expecting the clothes to ignite "quite so rapidly."
The victim stripped off his burning clothes and then called police.
The suspect, Johnny Davis, 68, was booked into jail on suspicion of assault with caustic chemicals, a felony. Online jail records indicate he is being held on $120,000 bail.
The victim apparently was not seriously hurt.
Sacto 9-1-1: Woodland police seeking pizza restaurant robber
Woodland police are seeking a gunman who robbed a pizza restaurant after the eatery closed on Wednesday.
Police were called about 10:08 p.m. on that date to the Little Caesar's Pizza in the 1800 block of E. Gibson Road. The caller said they had just been robbed at gunpoint, according to a news release.
Though the store had closed for the evening and the front doors were locked, the robber was able to enter the store through an unlocked back door, the release states.
The release gives this chain of events:
The robber pointed a black semi-automatic handgun with silver detailing at the employees, and demanded money. The suspect also ordered all the employees to the front of the store.
One employee, who had her hands up, was told by the robber to put her hands down and act normal. One of the employees filled a plastic bag with an undisclosed amount of cash from both the register and the safe. The robber then fled the store on foot to a waiting dark-colored SUV, where he got into the passenger's side.
Police are looking for a white male adult, approximately 5'8" tall and 150 lbs., wearing a black, hooded, long-sleeved sweatshirt with a "Famous / Stars & Straps" logo on the front. He was wearing the hood over his head.
The suspect's face was covered by a bandana with an Oakland Raiders logo at the forehead. He was described as having "piercing blue/green eyes". The suspect was also wearing black gloves.
Police said the suspect's description matches almost exactly the suspect description from the robbery of the West Main Street AM/PM on Nov. 20.
Anyone with any information related to this case is asked to call the Woodland Police Department at (530) 666-2411.
Romo, Austin send Cowboys past Raiders 24-7
Tony Romo snapped the Cowboys from their offensive slumber by leading them to a season-high 494 yards, with Miles Austin delivering 145 yards and a touchdown, sending the Cowboys to a 24-7 victory over the Raiders on Thursday.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin (19) celebrates his touchdown with running back Marion Barber (24) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders,, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in Arlington, Texas.
Sacto 9-1-1: Roseville police dog stands down - forever
The Roseville Police Department's K9 unit has announced the death of retired police canine "Zig," who survived a burglary suspect's attempt to drown him. But the dog held onto the suspect until officers arrived.
Zig, affectionately called Ziggy, started his career as a Roseville Police Department canine in 1999, according to a Police Department news release.
He was retired in 2005 due to a leg injury and other medical problems. Zig continued to live with his handler, Roseville Police Officer Chris Nowicki, and Nowicki's active-duty police dog Eivo, until Zig's death Monday at age 12 .
Once Roseville K9 units responded in the middle of the night to assist the Placer County Sheriff's Department with an in-progress burglary of a business on Cincinnati Avenue. Nowicki and Zig pursued one of the burglary suspects into a flooded field.
Zig located the suspect, who was totally concealed among reeds, waist-deep in cold water. Zig latched on to the suspect and refused to let go, even when the suspect tried to drown him, the release states. Thanks to Zig, officers located and arrested the suspect.
On another night, Roseville officers pursued a car burglar, who crashed his car in the area of Lead Hill and Harding, and fled on foot into the creek area. It was pitch-dark and officers were unable to see anything in the unlighted open space area.
Zig tracked the suspect and then almost pulled officers over the edge of a ravine, barking ferociously in the direction of a downed tree. Officers shined their flashlights around the area for several minutes, seeing nothing, until eventually they spotted a sock sticking out of a pile of debris. Attached to the sock was their suspect - who was then taken into custody, thanks to Zig.
But Ziggy's health declined until the decision was made to have him euthanized, the release states.
On Monday, Nowicki took Ziggy on a last ride in his police K9 vehicle before taking him to the veterinarian.
Transient suspected of torching another man
A homeless man is recovering from second- and third-degree burns inflicted when another homeless man doused him with lighter fluid and set him on fire as he slept in Golden Gate park.
Preps Blog: Breaking down four monstrous prep football playoff matchup
Our trusty recon-recorder JOCK - Junior Observer, Cameron-know-it-all - asks his dad (me) about four key section playoff football games.
Run to Feed the Hungry attracts teeming crowd
10k runners and walkers head west on J Street following the start of the Run to Feed the Hungry in east Sacramento on Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 26, 2009. More than 30,000 attended the annual run/walk to raise money for the Sacramento homeless.
The entrance to California State University, Sacramento, teemed this morning with people old and young, families and friends -- even the obligatory guy dressed as a turkey -- all for the 16th annual Run to Feed the Hungry.
Diane Malone, a co-director of the run, said numbers were still being tallied at noon, but that she could tell there at least as many runners as last year. Organizers were expecting close to 30,000 people -- up from last year's 28,311 participants -- and hoped to raise close to $1 million for the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. Late Thursday, race organizers said about 28,500 people had registered to run.
Milling around in the brusque morning with the other runners was Aleshia Ayers, a 15-year-old Rosemont High School sophomore who was a part of a 90-plus-person team of students, teachers and parents. She called the event a great opportunity to both help those in need and get the school's name out there.
The Rosemont team was one of 90 teams at the event, according to Blake Young, president and chief executive officer of the food bank.
Young said it's inspiring to see so many people come together to have fun and help the less fortunate. Strong communities are even more important these days with so many out of work and struggling to get by, he added.
"I've never in my time with our organization - 13 years - seen this many people in need of our services," Young said. "The flip side is it's amazing how generous people are even in a down economy."
The event followed a different route this year, which Malone said had generated much positive feedback.
Pacific front could bring rain early Friday
Early morning shoppers on Friday in Sacramento, Redding and other central areas might have to contend with light rain, according to the National Weather Service.
A Pacific frontal system is approaching northern California today, according to the NWS, bringing with it a "veil of high clouds," cooler tempertures and the chance of precipitation. That system is forecast to bring rain to parts of the Central Valley on Friday.
The weather could affect travel Friday afternoon and evening along Interstate 5, Highway 50 and Interstate 80.
In the mountains of Shasta County, snow levels are expected to lower to 4,000 feet. In other parts of the northern Sierra, snow is expected at 5,000 feet.
The weather service cautions travellers that localized snowfall could be higher.
The remainder of the weekend is expected to have clear skies and breezy north winds, according to the NWS.
More remains found at home of missing Calif. teen
Investigators found more charred human remains at the home of one of two missing Southern California boys as a third teen turned up safe Wednesday.
Vallejo mayor apologizes for remark about gays
Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis is apologizing for comments he made to The New York Times that gays will not go to heaven.
Driver in El Cajon faints, crashes into parked planes
Police say a California man passed out behind the wheel of his truck, sending the vehicle crashing through a fence and into a row of parked planes at an airport in El Cajon.
A truck rests again one of the small plane it hit at an airport in El Cajon, Calif. Wednesday Nov. 25, 2009. The driver of the truck passed out behind the wheel of his truck, sending the vehicle crashing through a fence and into a row of parked planes.
Hawkins gets another year despite 4 losing seasons
Colorado coach Dan Hawkins, a UC Davis graduate, will get a fifth season in Boulder instead of a pink slip and a $3.1 million buyout.
Villaraigosa wants cap on pot dispensaries
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has urged the City Council to limit the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
Live Blog: Oakland (3-7) at Dallas (7-3)
The Dallas Cowboys have played some decidedly unspectacular football over the past two weeks. If recent history is any indication, however, Wade Phillips' club will find their antidote when the Oakland Raiders visit Big D for the Cowboys' traditional Thanksgiving Day contest.
Settlement reached in death of jail inmate
San Joaquin County officials approved a $600,000 settlement with the family of a 71-year-old man who was found dead soon after his release from county jail.
Forest Service acquires scenic land in Calif.
More than 1,200 acres of scenic meadow land and a spectacular waterfall in California have been bought by the U.S. Forest Service.
Guide to Black Friday: Travel, safety, weather tips
Consumers line up outside the Best Buy in Elk Grove on Wednesday in anticipation of "Black Friday" sale items. This group of friends grabbed the first spot in line at 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Friday is the traditional kickoff to the holiday buying season, so it might be a good idea to have a practical guide to Black Friday handy. Here is travel, safety and weather information for the buying binge day:
Road rules
• In Roseville, Galleria Boulevard around the shopping mall gets very congested this time of year. Traffic signal technicians will be monitoring traffic volumes on Black Friday and throughout the holiday shopping season, said Dee Dee Gunther, Roseville police spokeswoman. Signal timing will be adjusted to prevent traffic from backing up onto Highway 65.
Tip: Gunther recommends that motorists heading to Galleria Mall on Highway 65 take the Pleasant Grove exit, just north of the Galleria, instead of the Galleria exit. Then travel on Roseville Parkway to the west entrance of the mall.
• In downtown Sacramento, the city is luring shoppers by relaxing some parking rules. Streetside meters will go unread weeknights and weekends.
The free parking begins on Black Friday and continues through Christmas Day.
The city's Department of Transportation reports that free on-street parking begins at 4:30 p.m. weekdays and is in effect all day Saturdays and Sundays, between I and L streets and Front and 29th streets in metered on-street parking spaces only.
Tip: This year, the free street parking includes Old Sacramento.
• On busy Arden Way, the big problem in the past has been motorists who try to turn into parking lots but can't enter due to jammed entrances. Cars are caught in the intersection, blocking traffic on Arden.
This year, Arden Fair security chief Steve Reed said signs have been posted warning that the fine for such obstruction of traffic has gone up to a hefty $256.
Reed, a former Sacramento police officer, has worked with city traffic engineers and police to alleviate the logjam by adjusting traffic signals.
Tip: Shoppers are encouraged to take a free shuttle from free parking in Lot D at Cal Expo. Buses will run every 10 to 15 minutes with Christmas music playing.
Signs will direct motorists to Lot D. Get shuttle details here.
Security
Roseville police and Arden Fair security experts provide these Top 10 shopping safety tips:
1. Park in well-lighted, heavily traveled areas.
2. Roll up all windows and lock your car. Do not leave gifts in sight. Thieves are targeting portable GPS units right now.
3. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity such as people peering into cars.
4. Women need to keep purses closed and close to the body. Men should carry their wallets in a front pocket.
5. Leave expensive jewelry at home and don't carry a lot of cash.
6. Arden Fair's Reed says shoppers leave packages at a table in the food court when they go to pick up food. That's a no-no.
7. Have keys in hand when approaching your vehicle.
8. Use ATMs inside the mall.
9. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.
10. If shopping with children, make sure they know they can ask mall personnel or store security for help in case you get separated.
Weather
The National Weather Service is predicting perfect daytime shopping weather for Friday: Mostly sunny skies with a high near 62 degrees. But for those heading to the malls early, dress warmly: The low about 5 a.m. will be a chilly 45 degrees.
Bee file, 2007. Deal seekers converge on the electronics department at Target immediately after the doors open at 6 a.m. The traditional day after Thanksgiving shopping - Black Friday - gets shoppers out early at Target for extra-special deals on Riverside Blvd. and Broadway Friday, November 23, 2007.
